I believe in your worthiness. I believe and am enamored by your capacity for love. But, I’d be deluding myself and lying if I said any of us was worthy. And that’s the importance of Him.

Despite growing up Catholic and attending mass nearly every weekend, I’ve had to fight tooth and nail for every shred of my faith. Fortunately, God made it easier work when I was younger.

I remember the first time I felt the Holy Spirit. I was about 11 years old and wandering by myself in the woods near the log home my dad crafted from scratch. I was feeling particularly distressed, somewhat depressed (as was common when I was younger), and a bit lonesome. It wasn’t easy growing up an hour away from my friends, but I managed by turning to the forest for excitement and comfort.

As I sat on the moss-covered pine needles and rested against the rough bark of the thick blanket of trees, I allowed myself to go into myself. It felt calming and I just focused on the softness that radiated around me, in me, and through me. Then, I felt a presence. It wasn’t like the paranoia of thinking something or somebody might be watching you. It was like a soft, pulsing glow that had a palpable aura of peace. That was it – that was my introduction to the Divine as a conscious young adult.

When I was roughly four or five years old, I had witnessed God’s love in another capacity. One summy day after a Praise Fellowship (church name) convening, I was playing on the steps as an energetic young kid does and decided to return to the church where my mother and aunt were participating in praying and Laying of the Hands. I didn’t know what I was seeing, but I remember so clearly observing a young woman who was crying and emotional. A group of people surrounded her and extended their hands, bowing their heads. As they prayed, I saw – like, as if I was sitting across from you – gold sparkles fall all over the woman and the people who prayed over her.

At the time I thought, “Whoa, that’s neat.” I just stared until I became bored and went back outside to play. That memory has stuck with me because it was one of the most glorious thing I had ever seen up until that point in my life.

The point I’m getting at is that there is more to this world than any of us likes to admit. Why do we struggle to make a decision on what constitutes “fact” in history, the concept of spiritual warfare, and the relevance of Jesus Christ to us today? Because it’s an uncomfortable topic. It’s one that has persisted for 2,000 years and mainstream culture would prefer we ignore it. Move on, the collective is trying to say. But, there is a stout resistance by the faith that can be felt. It is rock solid, it refuses to budge even as the man-made buildings and societal norms crumble around it. The reason why it refuses to falter is because it is the truth.

And, that truth is becoming more and more observed today as the spoils of mankind’s lustful ways are beginning to rot. And as they rot, that which remains sweet, nourishing, and safe continues to feel more inviting. Having drowned ourselves in discussions of logic, emotions and a “knowing” are beginning to overtake even the most esteemed intellectual. And that, friends, is worth celebrating.

You see, none of us is worthy. But, through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have the great capacity to interact with the Holy Spirit and the Godhead of consciousness (Jesus being the third part, completing the Holy Spirit) to directly communicate with the Force that made us. And, it is the force of truth, love, peace, and justice. It is the unshakeable Almighty and in the wake of destruction caused by woke authoritarianism, it will continue to naturally attract His people, extensions of the Oneness, back to the Light.

I resisted this truth for so long. I tried to convince myself that paganism and Christianity were relatively the same. I attempted to distract myself from “the work” because it didn’t align with my expectation of what “shadow work” and other demonic practices were. In him, we are saved. In him, we are whole and worthy. The true work is showing up, praying often, and allowing the Light of the Holy Spirit to guide you in your personal life, your personal desires, your relationships, and the trajectory of your life. When you do, that’s when life changes.

I don’t intend to come across as preachy, but I am of the opinion that if someone finds something that can contribute to the betterment of society, they have the moral obligation to share their findings – perhaps even though it may not resonate with everyone. So, here I am. I am a reformed Christian and I am proud to be able to speak out on the journey that has led me to this point.

Whether you have accepted Jesus into your heart or are still on the fence, you are WORTHY. The real question is, do you accept and embrace it?

The post Discovering Your Divine Worthiness: A Spiritual Reflection on Jesus Christ first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

From start to finish, it was a 35-hour labor. But it was everything and more my husband and I could have hoped for: unmedicated, intuitive, at the baby’s pace, and in the comfort of a relaxing non-clinical environment. Here’s our family’s story…

The clock read 2:34 a.m. as I rolled out of bed, grimacing from the sharp pang that reverberated through my womb. It was April 25^th – my late grandpa’s birthday. And already, the day had started off with purpose. For two hours, I allowed the sensation of cramping to pulse through my body. By 4:30 a.m., I felt as if I could finally return to bed and dozed through the strange and subtle cramps. We slept in that morning until about 7 a.m. when the sensations returned, and I decided to let the day bring what it may.

After our morning routine of matcha tea and coffee, Aaron and I parted ways as he tended to our farmstead – feeding Matilda the pig, Merry and Pippin the dwarf goats, our three dogs – Artemis, Damon, and Apollo, and the two bossiest cats, Midnight and Ariel. I took the opportunity to “knock out” some work even though the cramps continued to come and go every 20-30 minutes. At the time, they felt to be about 3-4 on the pain scale. Now having gone through what I have (unmedicated birth for 35 hours), I can see they were just getting started and probably didn’t even reach a .5/10 on my new pain threshold.

The morning had come and gone, and I was starting to get annoyed. My willingness to match other peoples’ stress levels with work was causing me to get anxious, and as a result, was delaying labor. So, with the encouragement of my midwife consultant Day – who lives in Oklahoma and is amazing, I decided to cancel the remainder of my appointments and surrender to the process. It wasn’t easy as I’m a bit of a workaholic. But, it was necessary, and as soon as I decided to tune out and let other people solve their own problems for a while, the cramps returned.

By 4-5 p.m., the cramping was coming on regularly. I started to time them: 6-15 minutes apart, all lasting at least 45 seconds long. Oh boy, I thought. This really is it. My “comfort” craving was to watch Dirty Dancing and curl up in bed. Don’t ask me why but it did the trick and casually diverted my attention while allowing the process that was building to unfold. As you can see, I wasn’t alone. Arial the cat insisted on cuddling with me, providing me a sense of peace and comfort with her presence.

By this point, I was well into the first phase of labor. 7 p.m. rolled around and Aaron and I made the same decision: Yes, it was time to hit the road. My contractions had been at least 6-8 minutes apart lasting 1 minute each for over an hour. Because we live one hour away from the midwifery clinic in Rapid City where we’ve been planning an intentional, unmedicated birth, that was our queue to get the car ready and head to town. My mom, one of my best friends and life-long supporters, graciously agreed to join us, so we picked her up in Sturgis on the way.

8:30 p.m. rolled into focus as we pulled into the midwifery center. Diane, another wonderful midwife, greeted us and took me into an exam room. I was 4-5 centimeters dilated, just a little early to be admitted. But, she agreed, “You’re in labor! You’re going to meet your baby boy soon.” With a smile, she gave me an affectionate, motherly embrace. This was it.

We decided to wait out the 2 centimeters of dilation at a nearby Holiday Inn hotel. Firstly, we soaked our toes in the hot tub. Then, while Aaron cooled off in the pool, my mom and I attempted to slowly walk on the treadmill. I made it .10 miles and through three contractions before I decided to be done. The clock read 10:30 p.m. and baby boy was coming. At 11 p.m., we reunited with Diane. I had asked to be admitted, so my body could relax and prepare for the environment he would be born into. She agreed and confirmed that I had reached 6 centimeters. Thank God.

We chose the dark room of the two birthing room options and quickly settled in. Over the next 10 hours, I’d relax into deeper contractions in many different positions – all uninhibited and tenderly watched over by Diane, my mom, and my husband, Aaron. The large bathtub was nice and provided some buffer from the strain that was pulling at my low back and uterus. Gosh, that hurts! I thought. Oh, man, it was just the beginning…

The evening turned to early morning and Diane confirmed that I was 9 centimeters along, but that there was a “persistent” lip in my cervix that needed to continue opening. It was blocking the baby’s head from lining up correctly. That was around 1 a.m. We decided to be patient and let my body progress at its pace. By 6 a.m., little had changed except for the intensity of my contractions. I was now into active labor – almost near transition, and baby Leon’s head wasn’t lined up with the birthing canal due to the “lip” on my cervix. Here’s where the truly painful parts began. Diane kindly advised me of an option, which I agreed to…, and while I was propped up on the bed, she reached up and held the cervix open as I attempted to push my son’s head through the opening. That didn’t work and left me clutching myself, shuddering with shakes and yelling, “Ow, ow, ow, ow – I’m so sorry but ow! I can’t!” I reeled for several minutes on the bed in shock at it all. So, we decided to wait some more.

It was 7:30 a.m. when Diane’s shift ended and Kiersta took over. From the minute she entered the room, Kiersta was cued into me and the process. I was spaced out yet lucid from the non-stop contractions and pain of my body trying to push my son through. “I can’t do this, I can’t do this…,” I mumbled. Every time I doubted, my team reassured me I could. But, in all honesty, I had no idea how I was going to do this. My perception of level 10 threshold pain had come and gone. “Is it too late for drugs…?” I looked pleadingly at my mom and Kiersta. They gave each other sorrowful expressions and said, “Yes, sweetie. It’s too late.” To that, I responded: “How about Ibuprofen?” Now, that concept is laughable. It wouldn’t have had any effect even if it had been safe to take. Knowing this, they kindly declined my request and explained why. Oh, well, I thought. The only way past this is through it. So, time to buckle down.

Everything became way more intense after that point. A second attempt to push his head past the cervix failed and once again, left me shuddering in the deepest discomfort I could imagine. I can’t pinpoint the times exactly, but I know that due to the pain, I projectile vomited at least four times and rotated around the room to try and find some comfort. From the “dilation station” (the toilet where you sit backward and just let whatever happens to happen) to squatting in the shower and holding my husband’s hand, I tried to surrender to it all. But the same issue was preventing labor from progressing.  As Kiersta put it, Leon’s head was “cattywampus” and needed help lining up. So, we did some exercises to get him into position. One required me to lie on the side of the bed, the bottom leg stretched out and the other relaxed slightly over and draping over the side. Lemme tell you, the pain = 25/10. We attempted to work through this position on each side through three contractions each. I couldn’t complete the circuits entirely and threw up after each one due to the shocks that radiated down my low back and hips.

Perhaps by 9-10 a.m. (guessing as I had no concept of time at this point), we decided to try for a third time to eliminate the lip that was holding Leon back. The bed exercises helped, and now we just needed to get his head into the birth canal, so the painful bearing down of my uterus helped propel the labor. There’s no way past this but through it, I reminded myself. And so, I mustered even more strength and succeeded on the third try. Now, the real work began.

Let me skip some of the details and simply say it took three hours to pass his 15-inch head. Many times, I’m told, my mom and Aaron thought they were going to lose me. But amazingly, my blood pressure remained stable and Leon’s heartrate remained between 140-150 bpm the entire time. He might have been tightly trapped in the canal, but he wasn’t going anywhere. While we had hoped for a water birth, the angle of him coming through my pelvis demanded ingenuity along with a position that allowed for rest. I was exhausted and could barely remain squatting through the pain. In the water, the midwives couldn’t assist the way they needed to. So, bare to the world and ready for a babe to emerge, I pushed on the bed

I’ll say it repeatedly – birthing a baby is the toughest thing I have ever done. Doing it without medication may have been insane (like many of my female friends told me). But, after the fact, I’m still glad that I did. With my entire body and primal screams that likely resounded throughout the clinic, I finally welcomed my baby boy into the world. My mantra to make it through the sensations was I will heal, I will heal, I will heal. He matched my cries, and before I knew it, was free. Unmedicated, he was alert and attentive to the world immediately.

Now, for the moms reading this memoir, you know the immense relief that follows baby boy/girl finally emerging. There is nothing like it. And even though everyone was traumatized and tired, the joy of his arrival could not have been measured. The pressure of the canal also releases endorphins for baby, which is part of the reason it can be good for women to endure the pain: we create endorphins for our bodies that are passed along to baby through the placenta and through milk production when it comes in. Nature knows what she’s doing.

            He was here! Finally.

Leonhart Arthur Froelich arrived at 1:23:34 p.m. (perfect affirmation for letting babe choose his perfect timing) weighin 9.0 lbs and measuring 22 inches long. . 

The 4 golden hours

Unlike a traditional hospital setting, the practitioners don’t take the baby from you immediately and begin to clean them up, measure them, etcetera… Instead, the midwives placed Leon on my chest for us to bond. They recommended skin-to-skin contact for at least one hour while they helped the placenta and blood clots exit. I was examined, and amazingly, I did not tear. This is primarily a result of slow, controlled pushing, regardless of how painful it was. Halleluiah.

Every thirty minutes or so, the midwives checked our vitals, which continued to measure perfectly. Once a full hour had passed, I switched off with Aaron, so he could begin bonding with his son skin-to-skin. We opted for a delayed cord-cutting to allow all the stem-cell-rich blood to flood into his body. And then, baby Leon’s daddy had the honor of cutting the cord.

While they bonded, I showered the last 36 hours away. Having lost so much blood, barely having eaten, and being exhausted, it was a feat. But again, I had a great team who supported me through it.

Over the next couple of hours, the midwives gave Leon a full check-up and documented his height (22 inches) and weight (9 lbs). His head also measured a whopping 15 inches. Let’s just say “ouch” and leave it at that.

After a few hours, we felt ready to leave. And once again, unlike a traditional hospital setting, we were allowed to with a 24-hour follow-up appointment scheduled for roughly one day later. They insist on the family returning home because statistically, that is when everyone is going to get a nice, deep sleep to begin the recovery process.

So, how was our experience at the AppleTree Midwifery Birthing Center?

On a scale of ten, it was a million, amazing, and worth it. From the appointments throughout pregnancy at the adjacent Black Hills OB clinic to the incredible delivery facilitated by such compassionate and knowledgeable women, it was the best choice we could have made for our family.

Sadly, we were informed during our follow-up appointment that the center — the only one in the state of South Dakota – is closing its doors due to financial reasons. As a result, Leon was the LAST baby (#69) to be born there. It is honestly heartbreaking, because I know that had we received our primary care at the local hospital, the following would have happened:

• I would have felt rushed.
• I wouldn’t have felt as safe.
• I probably would have had a c-section and the long recovery that accompanies that.
• I wouldn’t have been able to birth on my terms, doing what felt right until it was time to bear down and push.
• …and on and on

Receiving the news was so heavy, but it has inspired me and my family who witnessed such a different birthing experience to become advocates for these midwives and centers, such as this one. They are needed. Birthing experiences matter. The way in which we facilitate the emergence of new life and nurture the mother (and dad) matter. Don’t worry, this isn’t the last you’ll hear from me on this topic. A fire has most definitely been lit.

In conclusion, Leon’s birth went mostly according to plan (that’s amazing as well) and was far more painful than I could have ever imagined but has been the most beautiful and worthwhile accomplishment of my life. Every day, we fall more and more in love with Leon’s sweet energy, heartwarming snuggles, and little personality.

Thank you, Kiersta, Diane, Megan, Cassie, and Day for helping me welcome my son into this world. Thank you, Aaron, for being the best partner, support system, and father to Leon I could ask for. Finally, thank you to my mother, Tere, for being a part of the experience and helping me through it. I honestly don’t think I could have done it without you or the rest of the team.  

The post Leonhart’s Unmedicated Birth Story at Appletree Midwifery Birthing Center first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

Sometimes, personality types clash. Stop taking it personally, recognize the lesson, and move on!

Hey, friends.

On this blog, we get real about a variety of topics. From life and family to business development and even “woo woo” topics like manifestation – I want to dive deep! Today’s topic is about your power in deciding the caliber of client you want to work with and not just taking on every client that passes by your proverbial door!

For too many years, I’ve done just this. I’ve almost become “clingy” with opportunities. If I’m honest, the feeling was that there would never be enough (that’s “lack”). But that’s the interesting thing about life, growth, and the inevitable nuggets of wisdom that each of us finds… In my almost thirty years, I’ve finally learned that I don’t need to cow-toe to the whims of others.

As a highly empathetic people pleaser (I see you, too), I’ve felt it almost my duty to “take people’s sh**” and show up for them even if they fail to show up for me and themselves. Look, you can’t do the most important work for others. That’s the hard truth. So, despite wanting to improve the lives of everyone around you, it’s not going to happen… because some people revel in being unhappy! And that is their choice. Yours is to finally put your happiness and self-worth first.  

My wake-up call came after realizing that I was being tested by Karen-type women in my client list. The more I “people pleased” and played nice, the ruder they became! Some people only respect you if you push back. “Well, that’s not the game I like to play,” I decided. And just like that… *poof*! I realized I didn’t need to take it any longer.

This epiphany is being shared so that hopefully, other sensitive beings realize that once you put down boundaries, the caliber and quality of people you attract change. You raise your vibration from believing in lack and feeling like you can’t do better so you have to take whatever comes your way to realize that there is more than enough and the best clients are just around the corner.

That’s my two cents for the day. Always realize that you are a powerful badass who can move mountains in this world. I believe in you and you are not alone in wanting to improve your life, the lives around you, and the collective status of this world.

Get to werk, lady.

Mandy

The post Yes, you can absolutely FIRE your client first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

Another year has passed and we are grateful for family, good memories, growth, and new change. Here are some developments that took place in 2022.

Merry & Pippin

Aaron begrudgingly gave his blessing for me to adopt two dwarf goats named Merry and Pippin. They are loud, fluffy, and wonderful therapy should anyone need some time on the farm. Just watch out for Merry, he might nibble your coat while you’re not looking.

Matilda & Neville

With Froelich Farms transitioning from hog production to grain production, two rescue pigs (a boar named Neville and a sow named Matilda) have joined the ranks of our budding animal sanctuary. Their purpose is to enjoy life. Now and again, you may spot Aaron sitting on Neville’s back while he scratches him. The pair is… hilarious, to say the least.

Introducing… Apollo!

In February of ’22, we adopted a third dog from the Pine Ridge Reservation. Apollo is a lab/rottweiler/German shepherd mix and is the sweetest puppy on the planet. With the help of our older dogs, Artemis and Damon, he was easy to train and is now one of the pack.

We’re… pregnant!

We are blessed and elated to be welcoming a baby boy in April of 2023. You can bet more photos and details will be shared particularly on social media over the next months and years. Thank you to everyone who has asked to contribute to their introduction to the world. For those who have been asking multiple times, yes, there is a registry. You can find that here. 😉

Life on the prairie – expansion & growth

Aaron has been kept busy with developments on our 5-acre farmstead. In addition to building a new shelter and hut for the pigs and goats, he’s been constructing a shed to help us declutter our tiny home in preparation for the baby. As he waits for legislation to catch up with his ambitions in South Dakota, life on the prairie has provided plenty of challenges and opportunities to stay busy.

Business Development

It’s been a busy but fruitful time for Black Hills Financial Planning and business consulting. In a nutshell, I am grateful for our growing list of clients and the wonderful people I’ve been able to meet and network with around the Black Hills. More goodness to come, surely!

Meraki Missions Int’l

In my “free” time (lol), I have been helping to develop a faith-based mission in Uganda called Meraki Missions Int’l (primarily by providing business insight and IT infrastructure). The goal is to provide spiritual and physical sustenance to the needy in Jinja. Our troops on the ground are phenomenal – what an amazing team. You can learn more about the mission and support (if you desire) by clicking here.

Final thoughts

Due to the economic downturn, uncertainty, and global events, we know that 2022 wasn’t the easiest year for everyone. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone with special emphasis on love and nourishment to be abundant this holiday season. We love and are grateful for you all. Here’s to another fantastic year!

Love,
Aaron & Mandy Froelich

The post 2022 for The Froelich’s: a year in review first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

How have you been? I feel like it’s been years since I’ve authentically connected over matters as seemingly simple as my life and familial happenings. Most of the time, I’m creating business-oriented content for Black Hills Financial Planning and the clients I work with, so this is a nice break. A refreshing one, truly.

You are owed some updates…

The Abode

Aaron and I have officially been back in South Dakota for over one year. While haven’t broken ground on our cob home house, we (mostly Aaron – God bless his capable self) have been putting in a lot of effort to make our lil 5-acre farmstead more comfortable to live on. We still have a 62′-long “man camp” (20x more durable than a single wide but pretty similar in appearance and shape) which we have slowly adapted to. The space is larger than the camper-trailer we moved around and lived in for one-and-a-half years during our goat farming stint in Boulder, Colorado (yep, good memories)… so it’s a doable “tiny home” living situation. Best of all, I suppose, it’s well insulated, sturdy af, and can withstand the cold South Dakota winters. Humid summers? Notsomuch as the airflow could be way better. But, it’s temporary.

The Animals

My family has hilariously watched (and sometimes supported) my childhood dream of starting an animal sanctuary. Once again, Aaron has taken lead on constructing the abodes. Okay, he’s done 99% of the work. I pounded in some nails and then got winded (see the update below – I blame that). After building a dog-free garden (not grasshopper-proof, unfortunately) and a dog house for our three pups, he broke ground on another enclosure: the pig and goat hut (below!)

The pig and goat hut will soon house Matilda the 550+ lb sow I rescued (she’s too wonderful to go to processing – and I don’t eat pork, so it’s a reasonable rescue), and two dwarf goats: Merry and Pippin. Merry is a bit of an A-hole, but he’s gotten more lovable since we adopted the pair earlier this Spring. Pippin is just doing his best and is quite sweet when you take the time to sit down with him. Watch out for the nibbles, though.

Our two cats are as bossy and spoiled as ever. When Midnight the rescue farm cat (who has been everywhere with us – I adopted him the same week I met Aaron, oddly, nearly 7 years ago…) isn’t sleeping, he’s reclining like a 45-year-old man with a beer gut on the couch assessing the world under heavily lidded eyelashes.

The Family

Overall, everyone is doing well. We just survived another bout of ‘rona which had everyone on edge due to the trauma that ensued last year. Long story short, everyone lived so it proved to be a better year. But that’s not all…

Yes, that’s right! We are expecting our first child in April 2023! While I aim to keep them off of my social media presence as often as possible, the bump is currently fair game. Tomorrow will be the start of week 16 and we are here for the journey.

Being pregnant has come with its own list of pros/cons, which I will likely delve into in another post. I’m learning to let go of control (bah, what an illusion anyways) and strap myself in for the ride. Gratefully, I’ve made many friends in past and recent years so have a lovely support system in the Black Hills. Note: My intention is to blog more about the pregnancy journey to provide more insight into holistic birthing options in Western South Dakota. For example, did you know there is a midwifery center in Rapid City, SD?

The Business(es)

From BH Financial Planning to Pasque and Prayrie to Froelich Farms… I’m kept quite busy. I’ll just leave it at that. There is so much I want to do right now for all of them. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy being able to write more and plug away at the project which will likely consume my time for the remainder of my life.

That’s it for now…

I’m grateful for your readership and the opportunity to share my voice. I’ve tried videos and other mediums and just always come back to the written word. Something about harnessing language and documenting it for others to read is soothing and calming. So, expect more blogs in the days and years to come.

I hope you are well – God bless.
Mandy Froelich

The post Farmstead Update + Big News about Our Family first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

Dear reader,

It’s taken me nearly 30 years to figure out my unique path in life. And elatedly, I am sharing the unique trifecta with you today.

At the age of 14, I fell in love with nutrition and plant-based cooking. It’s what led me to pursue a career as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, plant-based chef, and holistic healer (ACE-certified personal trainer, Reiki therapist, certified reflexologist, and bodyworker) for nearly 10 years.

I was blessed to be able to travel the globe as a chef and RHN, working at various holistic healing centers, in the U.S., Costa Rica, Bali, Thailand, and even Kenya, Africa. Upon returning to the U.S. in 2016, however, I felt an important desire to learn more about finances and business fundamentals.

Thinking I could only choose “one” path (a lie I feel many of us have been told), I kissed my sweet Seva of serving nourishing food to others “goodbye” and plunged into the world of business and finance. In 2020, I graduated with a degree in business and accounting. And not long after, I was scouted by The Wealth Store and attained my credentials as a financial planner (lifelong learning trek here, let me assure you).

But in 2022, I felt uneasy with the lack of ability to bring my other gifts and skills to the table. After all, the reason I chose to pursue financial planning and business development is that so many people lack the opportunities to invest in their wellness due to financial means.

I’ve long felt troubled, teetering between my callings and wondering how to combine them. Would people think less of me if I continued to pursue my culinary passions and teach them how to afford healthy, nutritious food? Would my ability to learn financial strategies and connect with people be reduced if I devoted too much time to developing Life in Bloom Nutrition and publishing recipe books?

Innately, I knew that I was enough and could do anything I wanted to do. After all, this is a truth I strive to teach others. But I felt stunted. Until recently.

I have to say, being pregnant has been the most challenging chapter in my life. But interestingly (due to expounding upon my already sensitive nature), it has led me back to my infatuation with living, plant-based foods, and creative works (music and art, primarily). As a result, I’ve re-centered with clarity and once again, know where I am and how I am going to move forward in this life.

I serve the Holy Trinity – God(head), Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And I do this by sharing my trifecta of gifts: financial planning, business development (from branding and website design to copywriting and CFO consulting), and nutrition.

I love that I’m unconventional and have a unique path ahead of me. I suppose by writing this down, I am simply affirming a “breakthrough” of thought. I am not meant to lead an ordinary life. And, in everything I do, I want to teach, guide, and educate others.

The world is a messy, dismal place. But we must remember that our realities are also shaped by what we focus on. If you want to live in suffering and focus only on the negative (war in Ukraine, famine, etc…) rather than the sweet animals in your life, how you can bring a smile to someone else’s face, or how good you can feel when you give back, well, my friend… that is your choice.

And it’s a choice I’ve long been afraid to vocalize. But it is yours, nonetheless. My hope is that my life can lead by example to show others how to escape the “system” and demented patterns we have fallen into (like allowing the darkness to feed on our fears, convince us we are “normal”, and that there is no such thing as Spirit or Intelligence in nature).

I believe because I AM. I know, I feel it rushing through me. And every day that I can help liberate someone else through great financial planning, nourishing food, education, and platforms to grow their businesses, I am succeeding.

So Aho. Aho to YOU, your relations, and all that you will build and create in this life. I believe in you and look forward to supporting your journey, whether as an accomplice or a friend from afar.

God bless,

Mandy Froelich

The post How I serve the Holy Trinity with my Trifecta of Offerings first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

Dear reader,

Does the title sound familiar?

Do you, too, find yourself resentful after bending over backward and making other people’s lives work, only to realize you still have a mountain of work to do on your own?

For the longest time, this was me to a “T”. I can’t say why, exactly, I am such a people pleaser. I hypothesize that it has to do with being empathetic and highly sensitive. I don’t like feeling other people’s negative emotions – distrust, contempt, anger, jealousy, or frustration, and so I’d do whatever it took to make their priorities work so they would be happy.

But you know where that left me? Strung out, working too many jobs to make ends meet, and all because I hadn’t put my needs ahead of theirs. To do so feels selfish. Isn’t that amazing?

Curiously, when you finally draw the line and create “boundaries”, it feels as if you’re saying “No.” But, what I learned in the past few years is that doing so isn’t saying “no” to someone else. Instead, it’s saying “Yes!” to myself and my needs.

What I learned in the past few years is that doing so isn’t saying “no” to someone else. Instead, it’s saying “Yes!” to myself and my needs.

Mandy Froelich

Tired of asking God, “When is the next opportunity or big break going to come”, I finally had to realize that I was the one standing in the way of my own happiness and my own success. Recently, I realized that it was due to failing to maintain laser vision on what I know is most important – my family and what we are building.

If people are upset that I’m no longer freely giving my time, energy, and creative attunement to propel them along the path, well, then that’s their own issue. My job isn’t to do the work for them. Rather, as a coach and a consultant, I can help them build the plan and then, without reservation, step back and allow them to either do the work – or not.

The harsh truth is that most people are afraid of hard work. And, when confronted with the possibilities in front of them, the average person often behave in a scattered way. They’re not sure what to focus on. Where I’ve failed in the past is thinking my job was to keep them on the trail – to hold the “shiny” star in front of them so they’d be willing to do the work and finally achieve their dreams.

But it’s not my job. My job and what I am capable of is to help build the plan, to construct the map, and then to cheer for them… NOT walk alongside them and do the work for them.

I’m writing this out because I’ve come back to this realization time and time again but finally feel as if I can put it into action. I’m tired of being expected to do A-Z, when my job is merely A-C. And, I know I’m not alone.

The hurdle for many creative entrepreneurs is to stay on their own paths, especially when they hope to offer goods or a service to the world. Maintaining healthy boundaries is tough. There is no way around it. But, as I’ve mentioned, it is the only way forward that doesn’t lead to burnout and resentment.

If you’re reading this, know these truths:

• You deserve to focus on YOUR goals and dreams
• It is NOT selfish to say “No” to those who expect you to do the work for them
• It is OK to say “No” to clients and opportunities that do not honor your boundaries or energetic needs
• You CAN feel into situations and know if they resonate or not, and that can be enough to determine if they’re right for you
• You are not an asshole for putting your needs first (I have to remind myself of this one often)

I’d love to know your thoughts. Does this sound familiar? How do you deal with the creation of healthy boundaries without feeling like a jerk?

Love,
Mandy Froelich

The post “In exchange for being liked, I gave most of my time and energy away for free.” first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

If ever a contentious topic existed, it is the topic of abortion. Whenever I see any videos or rants posted on social media channels with the declarative hashtag, I immediately click off. I’m just not interested in being a part of the fight.

Or, at least, that’s been my attitude for the past 6 years. But finally, I think it’s time to share my voice on the topic. As a born-and-raised Catholic-turned non-denominational Christian mystic who spent at least 5 years traveling abroad as a vegan chef, living in floral communes, I’ve returned to my roots on the South Dakota prairie and am re-grounding myself in logic and reality (not the watered-down version sold by the media).

Unfortunately, my opinion comes through trial and error – like most of us. So, I’m not sitting here on a pedestal saying this or that is right or wrong. Rather, I’m just sharing my opinion. The Feminist clap has dampened the voices of many women who are proud of their femininity, the balance that should exist between the mutually respectful masculine and feminine, and the importance of saving and caring for our unborn and youth.

I love each and every one of you, but if I can save even one woman or couple the pain of making a decision that will haunt them, I will. I would have been happy sitting on this story and not exposing this vulnerable and most shameful truth. But, there are women who are 9 months pregnant who are campaigning for the right to end that infant’s life in the womb…

And yes, I don’t agree the government shouldn’t be telling any of us what to do. But, I also don’t think we, as a society, can allow our compatriots to perpetuate mental illness as acceptable and socially responsible behavior.

So, here’s why I am happily supporting the Eli Agape Giver’s International organization (and helping to bring them online – website coming soon!), which you can learn more about and donate to here: 

All of my love,

Mandy Froelich

The post About the Eli Agape Givers + Why I am Pro-Life first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

A quick note: I’m going to start opening up more. If I can’t pour out the essence of what life is really like right now, then that’s just boring. And, it is cathartic to be real – regardless of how it might be perceived and by whom. So, here goes.

***

Let’s start with you. I hope you’ve been weathering existence on Earth as well as you are able. This is a time to be alive, amIright? Amidst all of the change, I feel like it’s been an abnormally large effort to preserve what feels like groundedness. Overall, I think I’ve done an OK job maintaining it. Fortunately, there are days like today when the weather is slightly nicer and it doesn’t feel so difficult to stay positive.

On the topic of positive, I want to get real about something that I think I’ve skirted around for years. Underlying my teenage years where I struggled with eating disorders and self-sabotage, the underlying sickness was – and some days is – depression. As my husband has helped me to realize over the years, part of why I am so motivated to create positive and helpful content is because the dregs of depression weigh heavy. So, if I can orient my focus toward positive things and glean joy from sharing those with others who might also feel sad, then it’s a win-win, right? Except for when, again, it’s heavy.

These days, it can feel like a feat to leave the house. Granted, the 40 mph winds on the prairie make it even tougher… but it’s more about the weariness I feel. Though I’ve been loath to admit it, I’m aching and in a rough place emotionally. Physically, I’m fine. But our miscarriage in October ‘21, during the same week that my grandfather passed, really did take a big toll on us. I’ve realized this as each month, we continue to realize we’re not pregnant and kind of emotionally re-experience it.

Mentally, it has me racing. Only in June of 2021 did I decide to finally go off of birth control. I felt like my body was screaming at me to remove my hormonal IUD after five years… so I stubbornly obliged. After 3-4 months of balancing itself out and Aaron and I using the app Natural Cycles to naturally prevent pregnancy, we realized we weren’t teenagers who were afraid of this reality. Instead, it felt exciting. So, we stopped tracking as much.

And then, almost immediately, we found out we were pregnant. There were a few weeks of elation as we quietly told a few people, knowing it was way too early to plan on anything. And then, COVID swept through and nearly took the primary people in my life. I was hit first. Fortunately, I had experienced the worst of it a month and a half prior, so it didn’t take me down like before. But, next was my mom. I’ve never seen her so sick, miserable, and nearly lifeless. I knew I was exposing myself to more risk and stress, but I made the decision that if it came down to it, I’d choose my parents over the potential of a new family.

Typing this makes me cry. I don’t regret it, as my dad became sick next. Both he and my mom went to the ER and even though his oxygen count was under 80, they didn’t send him home with supplies. So, I became a whirlwind extension of my sisters to get him the care he needed. He rested with oxygen for a couple of weeks – the longest time I’ve seen him sit still, sicker than I’ve seen him before.

And then, my grandfather became sick. At this point, I started bleeding and I didn’t know why. I knew I felt slightly under, immensely stressed, and worried. Hopefully, it would just stop on its own. I Googled ferociously, trying to convince myself that it wasn’t the worst possible scenario.

Days passed and my grandfather stopped eating and drinking. The nurse in my family gave an expectancy of 7-8 days more, and he was spot on. A few days later, the bleeding had only increased, sopping the pads I reluctantly allowed myself to use. If I resisted it, maybe it wouldn’t be what I was afraid of.

Finally, we went to the hospital. Although it wasn’t conclusive, at this 6-week mark, it seemed I was miscarrying. So, we solemnly accepted fate. Feeling like a zombie, I volunteered to stay overnight with my grandpa and my sister. It ended up being one of the worst nights of his departure. Due to an incorrect dosage of morphine and another medicine I can’t remember prescribed by the hospice nurse, he experienced hallucinations constantly throughout the night. He was up, turning around, and trying to find a space on his bed (typically near the top corner where he was about to fall off, nearly constantly. During it all, I bled. That same week, we said goodbye to both. I felt like my heart and body were breaking, in unison during this difficult, difficult time.

I can’t help but remember that two days before he fell ill, we told him the news to cheer his spirits. He gifted me calcium and vitamin D to keep my bones strong, having learned from my grandma’s experience. He believed growing 9 children took a toll on her body – and he was probably right. When I went hiking to absorb the pain, I reflected on this. It still is very painful to think about. But, it was such a kind gesture for a gentle start that wasn’t meant to be at that time.

Now, in February of 2022, I’m still processing more than I would like to be. Every time I see a girlfriend announce her pregnancy, I can’t help but feel a small stab of pain and, I’ll be honest, jealousy. And I hate that feeling. I never thought in a million years I’d feel that way. But, biological changes do something to you… it’s hard to explain.

While we probably can get pregnant again, I can’t help but think the reason it hasn’t happened yet is that it isn’t the right time. I’m still emotionally resolving too much and with the crazy-ness of our lives… the timing could be better. So, writing is a method in which I’m coming to peace with this. I’m hoping by translating the experience to paper, it will, in some way, alleviate some of the emotional tension that has been hard to let go of.

I know I’m not alone. I have many amazing friends and sisters who have experienced miscarriages of their own and probably never spoken up about it. My heart is with you; I understand now, and I have 1,000,000 more feelings I could write on… But for now, I guess I’ll just say that I love you and thanks for reading.

Mandy Froelich

The post Winter Blues & Reflections on ’21 first appeared on Mandy Froelich.

Hi there, friends. On this day, I’ve self-admittedly patted myself on the back for finally figuring out (and validating the process) to curate, design, and successfully publish content in the form of eBooks.

Over the past 10+ years, infatuated by the ability to craft, well, anything, and put it together for others has been a passion, er obsession, of mine. One for freedom and creative thought, I enjoy collecting knowledge and (what I perceive to be helpful) tips, to pass along to others. Why? Because life is tough, so if I can give someone else a helping hand, why not?

Also, I highly enjoy the process of turning nothing into something. That “nothing”, of course, isn’t nothing, but instead just a burning desire or thought. Even the inkling of this spark of passion excites me, and it’s why I love helping other people develop their businesses. Of course, maintaining good health and grounded spending habits helps with that!

Anyway, about 9 months ago (oh man, I literally “birthed” this project), I felt the seed of incentive to begin writing a book called “Boss Babe’s Guide to Business and Branding.” It’s taken me over a decade to understand the fundamentals of website design, marketing, business management, social media practices, and staying balanced as a busy businesswoman. So, I wanted to create this guide specifically for the female entrepreneurs out there. I also wanted to craft this workbook to supplement the Women in Business monthly meetup I host every month. You can learn more about that here.

So, in this article, I’ll recap the essentials you should know if you intend to utilize tools like Canva, Kindle Create, Scrivener, and Microsoft Word to self-publish your words.

1. Start with a topic and a brainstorming session

Like my mom, a well-known English and journalism teacher in the Black Hills of SD, always says, start with a topic and a good brainstorm session. Get all the ideas out on paper and ask yourself the tough questions. Grab a matcha or chai tea, curl up in a blanket with materials in front of you, and dive into the nitty-gritty of what you want to create.

This can be tough, but in my opinion, it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of the process (yes, it’s a journey!) because it allows you to expand your thinking to get focused on what it is you want to bring forth. Read my book, “Boss Babe’s Guide to Business and Branding” to receive more advice and support on how to accomplish the process of “developing a vision.”

2. Document the outline

Now, open Pages, Word, Scrivener, or whatever tool you use to document your thoughts. Take time to organize the flow of the book.

• What should be in the introduction?
• What are the 3-5 main points you want to get across?
• Will you have any resources, photos, or interactive pages?
• How many pages will your book be?
• How does the conclusion tie the main points together and point back to the introduction?

3. Invest in your book by writing every day

Even when you don’t want to, sit down and write. Open a document, save the title as a working draft, and begin inserting the outline. Add a title, subtitle, dedication page, and leave room for the table of contents. Someone else can help you edit and format your book. Your job now is to impart your wisdom and write.

The trick here is to be persistent. Every day, even if it’s just for 30 minutes, sit down and write. Open up the document, take a deep breath, and it all meld together so you can get it down on paper.

4. Review, review, review

Great! Your first draft is done. Way. To. Go. Take a swig of wine, pat yourself on the back, and maybe take a day off. But then? Get back to it. Keep committing to that 30 minutes to 1 hour daily writing session and review your work. You are your harshest critic, so make it work for you! Review your book at least 3-5 times before moving on to the next step. Edit it to the point of flawlessness.

5. Hire an editor

The next step is to get at least one editor to review your work. One is a minimum, two is ideal. Make sure their editing styles are somewhat similar and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.

I use www.Upwork.com and post fixed projects, like “Edit my 60-page eBook” and can usually hire a successful, verified, and high-ranking editor for $75-$120 or so a project. If there are more pages, you might spend more.

6. Review the edits and make changes

After the first round of edits, pore over your book again. Think critically about what the editor commented and the changes they suggested (I like using Microsoft Word and “tracking changes”). Accept, reject, or get more information on the changes, and then continue sculpting your work.

7. Get another round of edits! (Optional)

Maybe you’re happy with your work. If so, skip to step #9. If not, repeat steps #5 and #6.

8. Design your book in Canva or Kindle Create

Either in Canva or Kindle Create, design your eBook! You can download a template from Etsy (there are some cool ones out there) or start from scratch and build an eBook format similar to your branding style. This part can be time-consuming, which is why many people hire designers for their books. I elect to do this part because I enjoy it and because it can easily cost $2,000+ to hire someone else. It’s not difficult, in my opinion, and really allows you to become more familiar with the process.

9. Export your eBook to KPF or ePub format

If you used Kindle Create to create your book, you can easily export it right to Kindle and publish it. Voila! Done. If you used Canva, you’ll need to import the PDF file into Kindle Create (downloaded onto your Mac) and then upload it to your KDP Amazon book listing. Fill out all of the details when creating your book (such as price, description, product tags, categories, how it will be distributed, etc…).

10. Upload a cover image and publish!

Lastly, you’ll need to upload a Cover image to your KDP listing. You can create one easily in Canva or using the Kindle Book Cover software. You can also hire someone through Upwork.

How much do these tools cost?

A yearly subscription to Microsoft products is $70 and Canva is $12/month. Sometimes, I’ll purchase a template or theme from Etsy to utilize on Canva ($10-$60) and then take charge of the self-design process. Hiring an editor is the highest and most important expense, and it’s not worth skipping in my opinion. New readers will avoid you if your literature is riddled with grammatical errors.

The takeaway

If you want to author content and/or document your journey, thoughts, and input, this is one of many ways to transfigure your insight into resources others can benefit from. If you create something that offers value (and this can be done even on a budget but with patience, precision, and persistence), you can easily turn a profit and maximize your chances of growing your platform and/or gaining recognition as an author.

Thanks for reading! Please check out my newest book, “Boss Babe’s Guide to Business and Branding” on Amazon. You can also visit www.BlackHillsFinancialPlanning.com and download the book for FREE after you sign up for the newsletter.

Cheers,

Mandy Froelich

The post How To Write, Design, & Publish eBooks on Amazon (for under $150) first appeared on Mandy Froelich.